Teaching was disrupted at Southport College today after around 50 members of staff took part in a day of industrial action.

Members of the University and College Union (UCU) and Unison took part in the strike in protest at plans for a pay freeze. The unions claim some staff have suffered a real-terms pay cut of up to 17% after several years of low wage rises.

UCU and Unison members went on strike at Southport College on Wednesday (February 24)

UCU members took part in walk out last November, over the same issue.

Andrew Davidson, speaking on behalf of UCU, said to Visiter.co.uk : "Around 50 members of staff at Southport College went on strike today due to a long running dispute over a zero per cent pay rise.

"As teachers we are inspired by helping young people get off to the best possible start in life. However, cuts to our pay and cuts to funding of colleges make it harder to do our jobs. We want to teach.

"I think the fact that this is a joint day of action between UCU and Unison suggests that this dispute is escalating."

A Southport College spokesperson said: “The college remained open while some of our staff demonstrated as part of the nationwide industrial action organised by the University & College Union and UNISON.

"We are disappointed that our students’ lessons have been disrupted and we would like to apologise for that. The College will ensure that those students who have been affected by missing a class will have the opportunity to catch up and achieve their qualification despite this interruption.”

Thousands of staff in further education colleges in England, including lecturers, librarians and cleaners took part in a national day of action.

Unison general secretary Dave Prentis said: "Some colleges have promised their employees a pay rise, but the vast majority are determined not to budge from the zero per cent recommended.

"We urge the Association of Colleges to follow the example of those more enlightened colleges who want to come back to the table to try to resolve this dispute.

"The real villains in this dispute are government ministers, whose funding cuts over several years have left colleges in dire financial straits.

"After years of pay freezes and real-terms pay cuts, staff have been left with no choice but to take action to win a fair deal."

UCU general secretary Sally Hunt said: "A pay freeze is an insult to the commitment and enthusiasm of staff working in further education, and fails to address the real-terms pay cut they have suffered in recent years.

"Strike action is always a last resort but our members are clear that the Association of Colleges needs to return to the table with an appropriate pay offer in order to resolve this dispute."